Junior Michael, M.Ed.

As Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Mountain Ridge High School, Junior Michael has drawn on the can-do attitude and commitment to excellence that David Barney, PVCC's Cross Country and Track and Field Coach, instilled in the students he coached. Developing life-long relationships with teammates, studying, competing, and collaborating on a variety of tasks are among Junior's greatest memories of his educational experience at PVCC. "This was very powerful in an athletic setting, but it was even more powerful in academics and career aspirations."

Junior took a number of math courses and attributes the qualified instructors to his success in these courses and felt he would not have had a comparable experience at a four year institution. Junior shared, "PVCC offers a top notch educational experience for Merit Scholars as well as individuals who are looking for two additional years to grow before transition to a 4 year institution. PVCC is set in a friendly environment, led by dedicated instructors, providing varied opportunities for a rewarding higher ed experience."

Junior has returned to his role as student as he pursues his doctorate degree. He will be looking at the pronounced achievement gap of black males as his problem of practice in his Ed.D. program at ASU. We wish him every success.